Cloud computing service catalog

ABSTRACT

Provided in an example is a cloud computing service catalog which enables a cloud computing user to prepare and implement a blueprint of service items across multiple different clouds of computing resources. An example method includes discovering a plurality of computer resources which are available from at least one of a first platform and a second platform, and receiving data describing a plurality of service items. The service items include instructions configured to control one or more tangible computing devices. A first service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a first computer resource in the first platform. A second service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a second computer resource in the second platform. The method also includes adding the service items to the blueprint.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application for patent claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62/310,764 entitled “CLOUD COMPUTING SERVICE CATALOG”, filed Mar. 20, 2016, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to electronics, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to methods and apparatus which relate to cloud computing.

BACKGROUND

Disparate cloud computing platforms offered by different cloud service providers have different configuration formats because the cloud computing platforms' respective management platforms are at least partially incompatible. Thus, conventional methods and apparatus for implementing a combination of computing resources across different cloud computing platforms offered by different cloud service providers require a cloud user to manually configure implementation of each computing resource on each separate cloud computing platform. Thus, selecting computing resources across the different cloud computing platforms, configuring the computing resources across the different cloud computing platforms, and managing configurations across the different cloud computing platforms is complex and time-consuming.

SUMMARY

This summary provides a basic understanding of some aspects of the present teachings. This summary is not exhaustive in detail, and is neither intended to identify all critical features, nor intended to limit the scope of the claims.

Example methods and apparatus for providing a cloud computing service catalog are disclosed. An example method includes discovering a plurality of computer resources which are available from at least one of a first platform (for example, a first cloud) and a second platform (for example, a disparate second cloud). The method includes receiving data describing a plurality of service items and adding the service items to a blueprint. The service items include instructions configured to control a tangible computing device. A first service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a first computer resource in the first platform. A second service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a second computer resource in the second platform. The method can further include displaying one or more descriptions of at least a portion of the plurality of computer resources, one or more descriptions of a potential arrangement of at least a portion of the plurality of the computer resources, or a combination thereof. The method can further include receiving data indicating a selection of a selected computer resource in the plurality of computer resources, and adding the selected computer resource to the plurality of service items. The method can further include receiving data indicating a deselection of a service item from the plurality of service items, and removing the deselected service item from the plurality of service items. The plurality of service items can include information describing configuration details of a server, configuration details of a virtual network, configuration details of an operating system, configuration details of software, configuration details of an object, configuration details of a cluster, configuration details of a network, a server deployment, a remote script configured to be run on a server, instructions configured to initiate deploying a pod of containers, instructions configured to initiate a networking change, instructions configured to initiate deploying a virtual network, instructions configured to initiate deploying a load balancer, instructions configured to initiate emailing a user, instructions configured to initiate coupling a virtual network to an external system, instructions configured to initiate performing an automatable operation, or a combination thereof. The method can further include translating at least a portion of the blueprint to respective application programming interfaces (APIs) in the first platform and the second platform. The APIs are configured to implement the first computer resource and the second computer resource. The method can further include receiving an instruction to implement the blueprint, and calling, via a communications network device, respective APIs in the first platform and the second platform. The APIs are configured to implement the first computer resource and the second computer resource. The method can further include serializing the blueprint into one or more text files and storing the blueprint to a file system, deserializing the blueprint from one or more text files on a file system and storing the blueprint in a database, or both.

In a further example, provided is a non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising processor-executable instructions stored thereon. The processor-executable instructions can be configured to cause a processor to execute one or more parts of the aforementioned method. The processor-executable instructions can be configured to cause a processor to initiate executing one or more parts of the aforementioned method.

In another example, provided is a first apparatus. The first apparatus includes means for discovering a plurality of computer resources which are available from at least one of a first platform and a second platform, and means for receiving data describing a plurality of service items. The service items include instructions configured to control a tangible computing device. A first service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a first computer resource in the first platform. A second service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a second computer resource in the second platform. The first apparatus also includes means for adding the service items to a blueprint. The first apparatus can also include means for displaying one or more descriptions of at least a portion of the plurality of computer resources, one or more descriptions of a potential arrangement of at least a portion of the plurality of the computer resources, or a combination thereof. The first apparatus can also include means for receiving data indicating a selection of a selected computer resource in the plurality of computer resources, and means for adding the selected computer resource to the plurality of service items. The first apparatus can also include means for receiving data indicating a deselection of a service item from the plurality of service items, and means for removing the deselected service item from the plurality of service items. The plurality of service items can include information describing configuration details of a server, configuration details of a virtual network, configuration details of an operating system, configuration details of software, configuration details of an object, configuration details of a cluster, configuration details of a network, a server deployment, a remote script configured to be run on a server, instructions configured to initiate deploying a pod of containers, instructions configured to initiate a networking change, instructions configured to initiate deploying a virtual network, instructions configured to initiate deploying a load balancer, instructions configured to initiate emailing a user, instructions configured to initiate coupling a virtual network to an external system, instructions configured to initiate performing an automatable operation, or a combination thereof. The first apparatus can also include means for translating at least a portion of the blueprint to respective APIs in the first platform and the second platform. The APIs are configured to implement the first computer resource and the second computer resource. The first apparatus can also include means for receiving an instruction to implement the blueprint, and means for calling, via a communications network device, respective APIs in the first platform and the second platform. The APIs are configured to implement the first computer resource and the second computer resource. The first apparatus can also include means for serializing the blueprint into one or more text files and storing the blueprint to a file system, means for deserializing the blueprint from one or more text files on a file system and storing the blueprint in a database, or both.

In another example, provided is a second apparatus. The second apparatus includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory is configured to cause the processor to initiate creating specific logic circuits within the processor. The specific logic circuits are configured to cause the processor to initiate discovering a plurality of computer resources which are available from at least one of a first platform and a second platform, and to initiate receiving data describing a plurality of service items. The service items include instructions configured to control a tangible computing device. A first service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a first computer resource in the first platform. A second service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a second computer resource in the second platform. The specific logic circuits are also configured to cause the processor to initiate adding the service items to a blueprint. The memory can be configured to cause the processor to initiate creating specific logic circuits configured to cause the processor to display one or more descriptions of at least a portion of the plurality of computer resources, one or more descriptions of a potential arrangement of at least a portion of the plurality of the computer resources, or a combination thereof. The memory can be configured to cause the processor to initiate creating specific logic circuits configured to cause the processor to receive data indicating a selection of a selected computer resource in the plurality of computer resources. The memory can be configured to cause the processor to initiate adding the selected computer resource to the plurality of service items. The memory can be configured to cause the processor to initiate creating specific logic circuits configured to cause the processor to initiate receiving data indicating a deselection of a service item from the plurality of service items, and to initiate removing the deselected service item from the plurality of service items. The plurality of service items can include information describing configuration details of a server, configuration details of a virtual network, configuration details of an operating system, configuration details of software, configuration details of an object, configuration details of a cluster, configuration details of a network, a server deployment, a remote script configured to be run on a server, instructions configured to initiate deploying a pod of containers, instructions configured to initiate a networking change, instructions configured to initiate deploying a virtual network, instructions configured to initiate deploying a load balancer, instructions configured to initiate emailing a user, instructions configured to initiate coupling a virtual network to an external system, instructions configured to initiate performing an automatable operation, or a combination thereof. The memory can be configured to cause the processor to initiate creating specific logic circuits configured to cause the processor to translate at least a portion of the blueprint to respective APIs in the first platform and the second platform. The APIs are configured to implement the first computer resource and the second computer resource. The memory can be configured to cause the processor to initiate creating specific logic circuits configured to cause the processor to receive an instruction to implement the blueprint, and to call, via a communications network device, respective APIs in the first platform and the second platform. The APIs are configured to implement the first computer resource and the second computer resource. The memory can be configured to cause the processor to initiate creating specific logic circuits configured to cause the processor to serialize the blueprint into one or more text files and storing the blueprint to a file system, to deserialize the blueprint from one or more text files on a file system and storing the blueprint in a database, or both.

The foregoing broadly outlines some of the features and technical advantages of the present teachings so the detailed description and drawings can be better understood. Additional features and advantages are also described in the detailed description. The conception and disclosed examples can be used as a basis for modifying or designing other devices for carrying out the same purposes of the present teachings. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the technology of the teachings as set forth in the claims. The inventive features characteristic of the teachings, together with further objects and advantages, are better understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings. Each of the drawings is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only, and does not limit the present teachings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are presented to describe examples of the present teachings, and are not limiting.

FIG. 1 depicts an example cloud computing arrangement.

FIG. 2 depicts an example computing device suitable for implementing examples of the presently disclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict an example method for providing a cloud computing service catalog.

In accordance with common practice, the features depicted by the drawings may not be drawn to scale. Accordingly, the dimensions of the depicted features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. In accordance with common practice, some of the drawings are simplified for clarity. Thus, the drawings may not depict all components of a particular apparatus or method. Further, like reference numerals denote like features throughout the specification and figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Methods and apparatuses which provide a cloud computing service catalog are provided. In an example, provided is a cloud computing service catalog which enables a cloud computing user to prepare and implement a blueprint of service items across multiple disparate clouds of computing resources. The cloud computing service catalog can include service items from which a cloud computing user can select to add to a blueprint. The blueprint of service items can include one or more related (for example, interacting) computer resources from the multiple different clouds of computing resources. The blueprint of service items can include configuration details necessary to implement the one or more related computer resources and to cause the service items to interact. The blueprint can be saved for later retrieval, modification, use, or a combination thereof.

Examples disclosed hereby advantageously address long-felt industry needs, as well as other previously unidentified needs, and mitigate shortcomings of the conventional methods and conventional apparatus. Disclosed examples beneficially improve functioning of a computer (e.g., a platform management device) and improve an existing technological process (e.g., configuring computing resources provided by one or more cloud computing platforms). Among other advantages, provided examples can reduce complexity of selecting computing resources across different cloud computing platforms. Disclosed examples can also beneficially reduce the time required to select computing resources across different cloud computing platforms. Provided examples can beneficially reduce complexity of configuring computing resources across different cloud computing platforms. Disclosed examples can also advantageously reduce the time required to configure computing resources across different cloud computing platforms. Provided examples can beneficially reduce complexity of managing computing resources across different cloud computing platforms. Disclosed examples can also advantageously reduce the time required to manage computing resources across different cloud computing platforms.

Among other advantages, an advantage provided by the examples is standardizing offering of services from multiple different clouds of computing resources, which saves user time, reduces user confusion, and saves a user's time. Another advantage provided by the examples is that a selected blueprint can function (that is, be translated) across multiple selected clouds, without a cloud computing user being required to manually configure the user's selected service items. The provided example methods and apparatuses also improve, for example, the technical fields of computer management, computer resource management, and cloud computing.

Examples are disclosed in this application's text and drawings. Alternate examples can be devised without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, conventional elements of the current teachings may not be described in detail, or may be omitted, to avoid obscuring aspects of the current teachings.

The following list of abbreviations, acronyms, and terms is provided to assist in comprehending the current disclosure, and are not provided as limitations.

API—application programming interface

CMDB—configuration management database

IaaS—infrastructure as a service

PaaS—platform as a service

SaaS—software as a service

Cloud computing is a model for enabling one or more cloud users (a “user”) to access a shared pool of computing resources. The computing resources can include one or more processors, one or more servers (physical, virtual, or both), one or more storage devices (for example, memory, disk storage, the like, and combinations thereof), one or more network devices, one or more networks (for example, a virtual network, including internet protocol addresses), one or more firewalls, one or more load balancers, one or more virtual machines, one or more operating systems, one or more software applications, one or more programming languages, one or more computer-based services, one or more pods of containers, one or more web servers, the like, or a combination thereof. The computing resources can be offered with a service model which best suits a user's constraints (for example, skill level, needs, ability to pay, etc.). Cloud computing often has five characteristics: on-demand self-service by one or more users, broad network access, pooled computing resources, rapid elasticity, and measured service.

Users may not own the hardware constituting a cloud, the software run on the cloud's hardware, or both. Instead, a user can lease, from a cloud provider, at least some portion of the hardware, at least some portion of the software, or both.

Cloud computing advantageously provides an economy of scale unattainable with user-owned and maintained resources. A user need not purchase a complete set of hardware and software necessary to complete a particular task or provide a particular service. Instead, the user only pays for the user's use (that is, a utility computing basis) or the user pays a flat rate on a time-basis (for example, the user purchases use of an e-mail application for $12.00 per month). This can be analogized to the user renting the computing resources the user needs, for the duration the user needs the computing resources. Further, the cloud provider can spread demand from multiple users across one or more machines, which improves machine utilization in an economically efficient manner. Improved machine utilization reduces a number of idle machines, which saves power. Thus, computing resources are efficiently shared among many users, which results in the economy of scale, cost savings for users, profits for cloud providers, and power savings.

Cloud computing is also dynamically scalable (though not in an unlimited manner) to meet a user's timely needs (for example, pay-as-you-grow (or shrink)). A workload can be run on multiple machines (for example, physical, virtual, or both) to meet service demand. A workload can be a combination of one or more processing loads, one or more storage loads, the like, or a combination thereof. The user can thus save money which would otherwise be allocated to purchase a multitude of computing resources needed to ensure the user can meet the user's peak needs.

Cloud computing also advantageously enables the user to focus on the user's core tasks, and unburdens the user from having to purchase, configure, secure, and maintain computing resources. The user is further unburdened by not having to learn new computing skills needed to configure and maintain underlying computing resources. Many of the cloud's processes are transparent to the user. Software running on the cloud may appear, to a user, on the user's computer as if the software was installed and running locally on the user's computer. Cloud computing can present the user with a simple environment.

A cloud can be configured based on the following service models: infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), software as a service (SaaS), or a combination thereof. Each of these are described in turn. Note that other service models are possible; the discussion below is not meant to be limiting.

When offering IaaS, a cloud provider offers access to at least a portion of user-configurable individual components in a shared pool of computing resources. The computing resources can include one or more processors, one or more servers (physical, virtual, or both), one or more storage devices (for example, memory, disk storage, the like, and combinations thereof), one or more network devices, one or more networks (for example, including internet protocol addresses), one or more firewalls, one or more load balancers, the like, or a combination thereof.

A user of IaaS can optionally install one or more operating systems, applications, or both, of the user's choice on the user-configurable individual components. The user may be required to maintain the installed software. The user may also be required to configure each user-configurable individual component.

In IaaS, the components can be offered for use for a user-determined duration. The components can be offered on a fractional (that is, shared) access basis or an exclusive access basis. In an example, the user can be billed for specific component use or the user can be billed at a flat rate based on the components used. IaaS offers a highly-technical user a high level of implementation flexibility and a high level of configuration options.

When offering PaaS, the cloud provider offers a preconfigured arrangement of components and software, where the components and software are in a shared pool of computing resources. The computing resources can include one or more processors, one or more servers (physical, virtual, or both), one or more storage devices (for example, memory, disk storage, the like, and combinations thereof), one or more network devices, one or more networks (for example, including internet protocol addresses), one or more firewalls, one or more load balancers, the like, or a combination thereof. The preconfigured software can include one or more operating systems, one or more databases, one or more programming environments, one or more runtime environments, one or more web servers, the like, or a combination thereof.

In PaaS, the components and software can be offered for use for a user-determined duration. The components and software can be offered on a fractional (that is, shared) access basis or an exclusive access basis. In an example, the user can be billed for specific component and software use or the user can be billed at a flat rate based on the components used. PaaS advantageously offers a user, who has a specific need, a quick solution to the user's needs. However, PaaS does not require the user to purchase and manually configure the underlying resources. For example, a software developer can use a PaaS-based programming environment to develop a new program, without the software developer having to purchase a development server, an operating system for the development server, and programming language software. An environment can include a group of jointly acting computing resources.

When offering SaaS, the cloud provider offers pre-installed and cloud provider-maintained application software. The user does not maintain the underlying hardware, network, database, operating system, or application. In examples, the user can access the application software from many different locations, such as via the Internet.

In an example, the user can be billed for specific software use or the user can be billed at a flat rate based on the software used. SaaS advantageously offers a user, who has a specific software need, with a quick solution to the user's needs. However, SaaS does not require the user to purchase and manually configure the underlying resources or the software. For example, a businessperson can use a SaaS web-based email program, without the businessperson having to purchase, configure, and maintain a server, an operating system for the server, and email software.

Cloud computing has several different deployment models. For example, a private cloud deployment model can be provided for exclusive use by users in an organization. As a further, example, a community cloud deployment model can be provided for use by an exclusive community of users having a common need. Moreover, a public cloud deployment model can be provided for use by anyone. Further, any of these three deployment models can be combined and implemented with technology enabling portable data, one or more portable applications, or both.

Cloud computing requires hardware, such as one or more processors, one or more servers (physical, virtual, or both), one or more storage devices (for example, memory, disk storage, the like, and combinations thereof), one or more network devices, one or more networks, the like, or a combination thereof. Configuration of the hardware can be very flexible. A first hardware component in a first cloud can be configured to be coupled to a second hardware component located in the first cloud or located in a second cloud. The first hardware component in the first cloud can be configured to be coupled to a third hardware component located remotely from the first cloud.

FIG. 1 depicts an example cloud computing arrangement 100 including a first cloud 101 and a second cloud 102. For example, a first cloud provider can offer the first cloud 101, while a second cloud provider offers the second cloud 102.

A user device 103 is coupled to the first cloud 101 and the second cloud 102 via one or more networks 104. The user device 103 can be a computer (for example, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, the like, or a combination thereof), a mobile phone, the like, or a combination thereof. The one or more networks 104 can be a private network, a local network, a wide-area network, the Internet, any suitable communication network, the like, or a combination thereof. The one or more networks 104 can be implemented on any suitable platform including a wired network, a wireless network, an optical network, the like, or a combination thereof.

The first cloud 101 can be divided into infrastructure 110, platform 120, and one or more applications 130. The infrastructure 110 includes tangible electronic hardware. The infrastructure 110 can include one or more network interface devices 111. The one or more network interface devices 111 can be coupled to the one or more networks 104. The infrastructure 110 can include one or more storage devices 112. The one or more storage devices 112 can include one or more disk storage devices, a quantity of memory (such as random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash RAM, the like, or a combination thereof), one or more solid state drives (SSD), the like, or a combination thereof. The infrastructure 110 can include one or more load balancers 113, one or more servers 114, one or more Configuration Management Databases (CMDB) 115, the like, or a combination thereof. The CMDB 115 can control and manage distributed virtual computing in the first cloud 101. The CMDB 115 stores data describing policies to be enforced across constituent data centers in the first cloud 101. The CMDB 115 can also store configuration information for instantiating workloads using one or more specific environments which are configured to use the first cloud's 101 constituent computing components (for example, computing components in the infrastructure 110). Constituent components of the infrastructure 110 can be coupled to each other via a first cloud network 116.

The platform 120 and the applications 130 include software which is configured to implement, at least in part, at least a portion of the hardware in the infrastructure 110. In an example, at least one of the platform 120 or the applications 130 can be a set of computer instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium which, upon execution, configure one or more processors (for example, in the server 114) to create specific logic circuits (for example, one or more tangible electronic circuits configured to perform a logical operation), thus at least temporarily converting the one or more processors into a special-purpose processor.

The platform 120 can optionally include object storage 121, one or more web servers 122, identity control 123, one or more runtime queues 124, one or more databases 125, one or more development tools 126, the like, or a combination thereof.

The applications 130 can optionally include software configured to enable communications 131, management 132, collaboration 133, content 134, one or more games 135, customer relationship management 136, one or more virtual desktops 137, the like, or a combination thereof.

The second cloud 102 can be divided into infrastructure 160, platform 170, and one or more applications 180. The infrastructure 160 includes tangible electronic hardware. The infrastructure 160 can include one or more network interface devices 161. The one or more network interface devices 161 can be coupled to the one or more networks 104. The infrastructure 160 can include one or more storage devices 162. The one or more storage devices 162 can include one or more disk storage devices, a quantity of memory (such as RAM, ROM, flash RAM, the like, or a combination thereof), one or more SSD, the like, or a combination thereof. The infrastructure 160 can include one or more load balancers 163, one or more servers 164, one or more CMDB 165, the like, or a combination thereof. The CMDB 165 can control and manage distributed virtual computing in the second cloud 102. The CMDB 165 stores data describing policies to be enforced across constituent data centers in the second cloud 102. The CMDB 165 can also store configuration information for instantiating workloads using one or more specific environments which are configured to use the second cloud's 102 constituent computing components (for example, computing components in the infrastructure 160). Constituent components of the infrastructure 160 can be coupled to each other via a first cloud network 166.

The platform 170 and the applications 180 include software which is configured to implement, at least in part, at least a portion of the hardware in the infrastructure 160. In an example, at least one of the platform 170 or the applications 180 can be a set of computer instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium which, upon execution, configure one or more processors (for example, in the server 164) to create specific logic circuits (for example, one or more tangible electronic circuits configured to perform a logical operation), thus at least temporarily converting the one or more processors into a special-purpose processor.

The platform 170 can optionally include object storage 171, one or more web servers 172, identity control 173, one or more runtime queues 174, one or more databases 175, one or more development tools 176, the like, or a combination thereof.

The applications 180 can optionally include software configured to enable communications 181, management 182, collaboration 183, content 184, one or more games 185, customer relationship management 186, one or more virtual desktops 187, the like, or a combination thereof.

In an example, a user can implement computing resources in a cloud (for example, the first cloud 101, the second cloud 102) by creating and instantiating one or more workloads (for example, one or more virtual machines including an operating system and user-required specific software configured to run on a specific type of server). Cloud-enabled virtualization enables the user to interact with an abstraction which takes the place of a physical system. The user can access, configure, and manage the computing resources via a cloud's respective portal, an Application Programming Interface (API), the like, or a combination thereof.

Different cloud providers offer different clouds. For example, a first cloud provider can offer the first cloud 101, while a second cloud provider offers the second cloud 102. This is beneficial, as the cost for a single cloud provider to provide all conceivable computing resources is prohibitive. This also provides cloud users with more options than can be provided by a single cloud provider. Accordingly, to meet a certain need, a user may want to implement a collection of computing resources which includes computing resources in disparate clouds. For example, the user may need to implement a collection of computing resources including a first computing resource which is available in the first cloud 101 and not available in the second cloud 102. The user's collection of computing resources may also include a second computing resource which is available in the second cloud 102 and not available in the first cloud 101. The first and second computing resources likely will have different, and possibly incompatible, respective APIs. The provided apparatus and methods enable the user to manage implementing different computing resources which are different parts of different clouds.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example computing device 200 suitable for implementing examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. In an example, the computing device 200 can be the user device 103. At least a portion of the methods, sequences, algorithms, steps, or blocks described in connection with the examples disclosed hereby can be embodied directly in hardware, in software executed by a processor (for example, a processor described hereby), or in a combination of the two. In an example, a processor includes multiple discrete hardware components. A software module can reside in a storage medium (for example, a memory device), such as a RAM, a flash memory, a ROM, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a removable disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a storage medium, the like, or a combination thereof. An example storage medium (for example, a memory device) can be coupled to the processor so the processor can read information from the storage medium, write information to the storage medium, or both. In an example, the storage medium can be integral with the processor.

Further, examples provided hereby are described in terms of sequences of actions to be performed by, for example, one or more elements of a computing device. The actions described hereby can be performed by a specific circuit (for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), by program instructions being executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of both. Additionally, a sequence of actions described hereby can be entirely within any form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereby a corresponding set of computer instructions which, upon execution, cause an associated processor (such as a special-purpose processor) to perform at least a portion of a method, a sequence, an algorithm, a step, or a block described hereby. Performing at least a part of a function described hereby can include initiating at least a part of a function described hereby, at least a part of a method described hereby, the like, or a combination thereof. In an example, execution of the stored instructions can transform a processor and any other cooperating devices into at least a part of an apparatus described hereby. A non-transitory (that is, a non-transient) machine-readable media specifically excludes a transitory propagating signal. Additionally, a sequence of actions described hereby can be entirely within any form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereby a corresponding set of computer instructions which, upon execution, configure the processor to create specific logic circuits (for example, one or more tangible electronic circuits configured to perform a logical operation) in the processor. Configuring the processor to create specific logic circuits in the processor can at least temporarily transform the processor into a specific-purpose processor. Thus, examples may be in a number of different forms, all of which have been contemplated to be within the scope of the disclosure.

In an example, when a general-purpose computer (for example, a processor) is configured to perform at least a portion of a method described hereby, then the general-purpose computer becomes a special-purpose computer which is not generic and is not a general-purpose computer. In an example, loading a general-purpose computer with special programming can cause the general-purpose computer to be configured to perform at least a portion of a method, a sequence, an algorithm, a step, or a block described in connection with an example disclosed hereby. Special programming can constitute any software which can cause a computer (for example, a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, etc.) to be configured to perform one or more functions, features, steps algorithms, blocks, or a combination thereof, as disclosed hereby. A sufficient algorithm can constitute special programming. In an example, a combination of two or more related method steps disclosed hereby can form a sufficient algorithm.

The computing device 200 can be, for example, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a mobile device, the like, or a combination thereof. The computing device 200 can include a processor 205, a bus 210, a memory 215 (such as RAM, ROM, flash RAM, the like, or a combination thereof), a video display 220 (such as a display screen), a user input interface 225 (which can include one or more controllers and associated user input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, the like, or a combination thereof), a fixed storage device 230 (such as a hard drive, flash storage, the like, or a combination thereof), a removable media device 235 (operative to control and receive an optical disk, flash drive, the like, or a combination thereof), a network interface 240 operable to communicate with one or more remote devices via a suitable network connection, or a combination thereof. Examples of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented in, and used with, different component and network architectures.

The processor 205 is configured to control operation of the user device 200, including performing at least a part of a method described hereby. The processor 205 can perform logical and arithmetic operations based on processor-executable instructions stored within the memory 215. The processor 205 can execute instructions stored in the memory 215 to implement at least a part of a method described herein (for example, the processing illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3B). The instructions, when executed by the processor 205, can transform the processor 205 into a special-purpose processor which causes the processor to perform at least a part of a function described hereby.

The processor 205 can comprise or be a component of a processing system implemented with one or more processors. The one or more processors can be implemented with a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), an ASIC, a controller, a state machine, gated logic, a discrete hardware component, a dedicated hardware finite state machine, any other suitable entity which can at least one of manipulate information (for example, calculating, logical operations, and the like), control another device, the like, or a combination thereof. The processor 205 may also be referred to as a central processing unit (CPU), a special-purpose processor, or both.

The bus 210 interconnects components of the computing device 200. The bus 210 can enable information communication between the processor 205 and one or more components coupled to the processor 205. The bus system 210 can include a data bus, a power bus, a control signal bus, a status signal bus, the like, or a combination thereof. The components of the computing device 200 can be coupled together to communicate with each other using a different suitable mechanism.

The memory 215, can include at least one of ROM, RAM, a flash memory, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a register, other memory, the like, or a combination thereof stores information (for example, data, instructions, software, the like, or a combination thereof) and is configured to provide the information to the processor 205. The RAM can be a main memory configured to store an operating system, an application program, the like, or a combination thereof. The ROM (for example, a flash memory) can be configured to store a basic input-output system (BIOS) which can control basic hardware operation such as the processor's 205 interaction with peripheral components. The memory 215 can also include a non-transitory machine-readable media configured to store software. Software can mean any type of instructions, whether referred to as at least one of software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, the like, or a combination thereof. Instructions can include code (for example, in source code format, in binary code format, executable code format, or in any other suitable code format). The memory 215 is an example of an electronic memory device.

The video display 220 can include a component configured to visually convey information to a user of the computing device 200.

The user input interface 225 can include a keypad, a microphone, a speaker, a display, the like, or a combination thereof. The user input interface 225 can include a component configured to convey information to a user of the computing device 200, receive information from the user of the computing device 200, or both.

The fixed storage device 230 can be integral with the computing device 200 or can be separate and accessed through other interfaces. The fixed storage device 230 can be an information storage device which is not configured to be removed during use, such as a hard disk drive.

The removable media device 235 can be integral with the computing device 200 or can be separate and accessed through other interfaces. The removable media device 235 can be an information storage device which is configured to be removed during use, such as a memory card, a jump drive, flash memory, the like, or a combination thereof. Code to implement the present disclosure can be stored in computer-readable storage media such as one or more of the memory 215, the fixed storage device 230, the removable media device 235, a remote storage location, the like, or a combination thereof.

The network interface 240 can electrically couple the computing device 200 to a network and enable exchange of information between the computing device 200 and the network. The network, in turn, can couple the computing device 200 to another electronic device, such as a remote server, a remote storage medium, the like, or a combination thereof. The network can enable exchange of information between the computing device 200 and the electronic device.

The network interface 240 can provide coupling (for example, to the network 104) via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination thereof. The network interface 240 can provide such connection using any suitable technique and protocol as is readily understood by one of skill in the art. Example techniques and protocols include digital cellular telephone, WiFi™, Bluetooth®, near-field communications (NFC), the like, and combinations thereof. For example, the network interface 240 can enable the computing device 200 to communicate with other computers (for example, the first cloud 101 and the second cloud 102) via one or more local, wide-area, or other communication networks. Other devices or components (not shown in FIG. 2) can be coupled via the network interface 240.

All of the components illustrated in FIG. 2 need not be present to practice the present disclosure. Further, the components can be interconnected in different ways from that illustrated.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict an example method 300 for providing a cloud computing service catalog, which can be performed at least in part by at least a portion of the apparatus described hereby, such as the user device 103, the computing device 200, the like, or a combination thereof. The method 300 can advantageously reduce complexity of selecting, configuring, and managing computing resources across different cloud computing platforms. The method 300 can also beneficially reduce the time required to select, configure, and manage computing resources across different cloud computing platforms. A platform management device which is configured to perform at least a portion of the method 300 has improved functions, relative to conventional techniques and devices.

In block 305, a plurality of computer resources, which are available from at least one of a first platform and a second platform, are discovered.

In optional block 310, one or more descriptions of at least a portion of the plurality of computer resources, one or more descriptions of a potential arrangement of at least a portion of the plurality of the computer resources, or a combination thereof are displayed (for example, using a video display such as the video display 220). The computer resources can include one or more candidate network elements, one or more candidate servers, one or more candidate operating systems, one or more candidate storage devices, one or more candidate load balancers, one or more candidate network interface devices, the like, or a combination thereof.

In optional block 315, data indicating a selection of a selected computer resource in the plurality of computer resources is received (for example, by the user input interface 225) and the selected computer resource is added to the plurality of service items. The plurality of service items can include information describing: configuration details of a server, configuration details of a virtual network, configuration details of an operating system, configuration details of software, configuration details of an object, configuration details of a cluster, configuration details of a network, a server deployment, a remote script configured to be run on a server, instructions configured to initiate deploying a pod of containers, instructions configured to initiate a networking change, instructions configured to initiate deploying a virtual network, instructions configured to initiate deploying a load balancer, instructions configured to initiate emailing a user, instructions configured to initiate coupling a virtual network to an external system, instructions configured to initiate performing an automatable operation, or a combination thereof.

In block 320, data describing a plurality of service items is received (for example, by the user input interface 225). The service items include instructions configured to control a tangible computing device. A first service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a first computer resource in the first platform. A second service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a second computer resource in the second platform.

In optional block 325 data indicating a deselection of a service item from the plurality of service items is received (for example, by the user input interface 225), and the deselected service item is removed from the plurality of service items.

In block 330, the plurality of service items is added to a blueprint (for example, by the processor 205). The blueprint can include system parameters which define configuration details, software, there like, or a combination thereof which will reside on multiple disparate clouds post-deployment. By abstracting configuration details from the unique characteristics of available clouds, the provided techniques enable a user to produce a blueprint which can be dynamically changed in order to conform to requirements of a chosen cloud for deploying a given server or object. The provided techniques enable a user to make a single blueprint which will work across disparate clouds. The blueprint can include an order in which a group of selected computer resources is to be implemented. For example, the blueprint can indicate that initially a server is provisioned and deployed, then a specific operating system is loaded on the server, then a specific application is loaded on the server, then a network interface device is provisioned and deployed, then a load balancer is deployed.

In optional block 335, at least a portion of the blueprint is translated (for example, by the processor 205) to respective application programming interfaces (APIs) in the first platform and the second platform. The APIs are configured to implement the first computer resource and the second computer resource. When a specific cloud is chosen, the blueprint is converted into a format which the cloud's management interface, API, the like, or a combination thereof requires in order to build and deploy the blueprint. This saves users significant time and resources which would otherwise have to be used to configure the deployment in a manual fashion or automated fashion which is specific to each cloud. By having a single blueprint which defines configuration details for a given object or server, the user does not have to worry about the unique requirements which a target cloud requires. The provided techniques aid in standardizing templates and allowing a user to pick one or more clouds to use, based on user specific requirements such as cloud cost or cloud geographic location, knowing the blueprint will work, regardless of which cloud is selected.

In optional block 340, an instruction to implement the blueprint is received (for example, by the user input interface 225) and, in response to the receiving the instruction, respective APIs in the first platform and the second platform are called via a communications network device (for example, via the network interface 240). The APIs are configured to implement the first computer resource and the second computer resource.

In optional block 345, the blueprint is serialized into one or more text files and the blueprint is stored to a file system (for example, the memory 215, the fixed storage device 230, the removable media device 235, the like, or a combination thereof).

In optional block 350 the blueprint is deserialized from one or more text files on a file system and the blueprint is stored a database (for example, in the memory 215, in the fixed storage device 230, in the removable media device 235, the like, or a combination thereof).

The foregoing blocks are not limiting of the examples. The blocks can be combined and/or the order can be rearranged, as practicable.

As used hereby, the term “example” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any example described as an “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other examples. Likewise, the term “examples” does not require all examples include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation. Use of the terms “in one example,” “an example,” “in one feature,” and/or “a feature” in this specification does not necessarily refer to the same feature and/or example. Furthermore, a particular feature and/or structure can be combined with one or more other features and/or structures. Moreover, at least a portion of the apparatus described hereby can be configured to perform at least a portion of a method described hereby.

It should be noted the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and any variant thereof, mean any connection or coupling between elements, either direct or indirect, and can encompass a presence of an intermediate element between two elements which are “connected” or “coupled” together via the intermediate element. Coupling and connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Elements can be “connected” or “coupled” together, for example, by using one or more wires, cables, printed electrical connections, electromagnetic energy, and the like. The electromagnetic energy can have a wavelength at a radio frequency, a microwave frequency, a visible optical frequency, an invisible optical frequency, and the like, as practicable. These are several non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

The term “signal” can include any signal such as a data signal, an audio signal, a video signal, a multimedia signal, an analog signal, a digital signal, and the like. Information and signals described hereby can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, an instruction, a process step, a process block, a command, information, a signal, a bit, a symbol, and the like which are referred to hereby can be represented by a voltage, a current, an electromagnetic wave, a magnetic field, a magnetic particle, an optical field, an optical particle, and/or any practical combination thereof, depending at least in part on the particular application, at least in part on the desired design, at least in part on the corresponding technology, and/or at least in part on like factors.

A reference using a designation such as “first,” “second,” and so forth does not limit either the quantity or the order of those elements. Rather, these designations are used as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, a reference to first and second elements does not mean only two elements can be employed, or the first element must necessarily precede the second element. Also, unless stated otherwise, a set of elements can comprise one or more elements. In addition, terminology of the form “at least one of: A, B, or C” or “one or more of A, B, or C” or “at least one of the group consisting of A, B, and C” used in the description or the claims can be interpreted as “A or B or C or any combination of these elements.” For example, this terminology can include A, or B, or C, or A and B, or A and C, or A and B and C, or 2A, or 2B, or 2C, and so on.

The terminology used hereby is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting. As used hereby, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In other words, the singular portends the plural, where practicable. Further, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including,” specify a presence of a feature, an integer, a step, a block, an operation, an element, a component, and the like, but do not necessarily preclude a presence or an addition of another feature, integer, step, block, operation, element, component, and the like.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate the example logical blocks, modules, circuits, and steps described in the examples disclosed hereby can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both, as practicable. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, example components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described hereby generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on an overall system. Skilled artisans can implement the described functionality in different ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, for each of the examples described hereby, a corresponding electrical circuit of any such examples may be described hereby as, for example, “logic configured to” perform a described action.

At least one example provided hereby can include a non-transitory (that is, a non-transient) machine-readable media and/or a non-transitory (that is, a non-transient) computer-readable media storing processor-executable instructions (e.g., “code”) configured to cause a processor (for example, a special-purpose processor) to transform the processor and any other cooperating devices into a machine (for example, a special-purpose processor) configured to perform at least a part of a function described hereby, at least a part of a method described hereby, the like, or a combination thereof. Performing the at least a part of a function described hereby can include initiating at least a part of the function described hereby. Performing the at least a part of a method described hereby can include initiating at least a part of the method described hereby. In an example, execution of the stored instructions can transform a processor and any other cooperating devices into at least a part of an apparatus described hereby. A non-transitory (that is, a non-transient) machine-readable media specifically excludes a transitory propagating signal. Further, one or more embodiments can include a computer-readable medium embodying at least a part of a function described hereby, at least a part of a method described hereby, the like, or a combination thereof.

Nothing stated or depicted in this application is intended to dedicate any component, step, block, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether the component, step, block, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or the equivalent is recited in the claims. While this disclosure describes examples, changes and modifications can be made to the examples disclosed hereby without departing from the scope defined by the appended claims. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specifically disclosed examples alone. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: discovering, by a processor of a user device, a plurality of computer resources which are available from a first platform and a second platform; receiving, from a user input interface of the user device, data describing a plurality of service items, wherein the service items include instructions configured to control a tangible computing device, a first service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a first computer resource in the first platform, and a second service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a second computer resource in the second platform, wherein the service items include information describing at least one of a remote script configured to be run on a server, instructions configured to initiate deploying a pod of containers, or instructions configured to initiate emailing a user; producing, by the processor, a single blueprint, the single blueprint including the plurality of service items and an order in which computer resources, of the plurality of computer resources, are to be implemented to instantiate a workload to be run on the first platform and the second platform, wherein inclusion of the plurality of service items in the single blueprint precludes, in conjunction with a translation of the single blueprint, a need for the user to manually configure the plurality of service items; translating, by the processor, a first portion of the single blueprint to an application programming interface in the first platform and a second portion of the single blueprint to an application programming interface in the second platform; saving, to a memory, the single blueprint; receiving, by the processor, an instruction to implement the single blueprint; retrieving, from the memory, the single blueprint; and calling, by the processor via a network interface of the user device and in response to a receipt of the instruction to implement the single blueprint, the application programming interface in the first platform and the application programming interface in the second platform.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying one or more descriptions of at least a portion of the plurality of computer resources, one or more descriptions of a potential arrangement of the at least the portion of the plurality of the computer resources, or a combination thereof.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving data indicating a selection of a computer resource in the plurality of computer resources; and adding the computer resource to the plurality of service items.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving data indicating a deselection of a service item from the plurality of service items; and removing the service item from the plurality of service items.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of service items further includes information describing at least one of configuration details of a server, configuration details of a virtual network, configuration details of an operating system, configuration details of software, configuration details of an object, configuration details of a cluster, configuration details of a network, a server deployment, instructions configured to initiate a networking change, instructions configured to initiate deploying a virtual network, instructions configured to initiate deploying a load balancer, instructions configured to initiate coupling a virtual network to an external system, or instructions configured to initiate performing an automatable operation.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: serializing the single blueprint into one or more text files and storing the single blueprint to a file system; deserializing the single blueprint from the one or more text files on the file system and storing the single blueprint in a database; or both.
 7. An apparatus, comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor and configured to cause the processor to initiate creating specific logic circuits within the processor, wherein the specific logic circuits are configured to cause the processor to initiate: discovering a plurality of computer resources which are available from at least one of a first platform and a second platform; receiving, from a user input interface, data describing a plurality of service items, wherein the service items include instructions configured to control a tangible computing device, a first service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a first computer resource in the first platform, and a second service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a second computer resource in the second platform, wherein the service items include information describing at least one of a remote script configured to be run on a server, instructions configured to initiate deploying a pod of containers, or instructions configured to initiate emailing a user; producing a single blueprint, the single blueprint including the plurality of service items and an order in which computer resources, of the plurality of computer resources, are to be implemented to instantiate a workload to be run on the first platform and the second platform, wherein inclusion of the plurality of service items in the single blueprint precludes, in conjunction with a translation of the single blueprint, a need for the user to manually configure the plurality of service items; saving, to the memory, the single blueprint; receiving an instruction to implement the single blueprint; retrieving, from the memory, the single blueprint; and calling, via a network interface of the apparatus and in response to a receipt of the instruction to implement the single blueprint, the application programming interface in the first platform and the application programming interface in the second platform.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the memory is configured to cause the processor to initiate creating specific logic circuits configured to cause the processor to initiate displaying one or more descriptions of at least a portion of the plurality of computer resources, one or more descriptions of a potential arrangement of the at least the portion of the plurality of the computer resources, or a combination thereof.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the memory is configured to cause the processor to initiate creating specific logic circuits configured to cause the processor to initiate: receiving data indicating a selection of a computer resource in the plurality of computer resources; and adding the computer resource to the plurality of service items.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the memory is configured to cause the processor to initiate creating specific logic circuits configured to cause the processor to initiate: receiving data indicating a deselection of a service item from the plurality of service items; and removing the service item from the plurality of service items.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the plurality of service items further includes information describing at least one of configuration details of a server, configuration details of a virtual network, configuration details of an operating system, configuration details of software, configuration details of an object, configuration details of a cluster, configuration details of a network, a server deployment, instructions configured to initiate a networking change, instructions configured to initiate deploying a virtual network, instructions configured to initiate deploying a load balancer, instructions configured to initiate coupling a virtual network to an external system, instructions configured to initiate performing an automatable operation.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the memory is configured to cause the processor to initiate creating specific logic circuits configured to cause the processor to initiate: serializing the single blueprint into one or more text files and storing the single blueprint to a file system; deserializing the single blueprint from the one or more text files on the file system and storing the single blueprint in a database; or both.
 13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising processor-executable instructions stored thereon configured to cause a processor to initiate: discovering a plurality of computer resources which are available from at least one of a first platform and a second platform; receiving, from a user input interface, data describing a plurality of service items, wherein the service items include instructions configured to control a tangible computing device, a first service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a first computer resource in the first platform, and a second service item in the plurality of service items corresponds to a second computer resource in the second platform, wherein the service items include information describing at least one of a remote script configured to be run on a server, instructions configured to initiate deploying a pod of containers, or instructions configured to initiate emailing a user; producing a single blueprint, the single blueprint including the plurality of service items and an order in which computer resources, of the plurality of computer resources, are to be implemented to instantiate a workload to be run on the first platform and the second platform, wherein inclusion of the plurality of service items in the single blueprint precludes, in conjunction with a translation of the single blueprint, a need for the user to manually configure the plurality of service items; saving, to a memory, the single blueprint; receiving an instruction to implement the single blueprint; retrieving, from the memory, the single blueprint; and calling, via a network interface and in response to a receipt of the instruction to implement the single blueprint, the application programming interface in the first platform and the application programming interface in the second platform.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the processor-executable instructions further include instructions to cause the processor to initiate displaying one or more descriptions of at least a portion of the plurality of computer resources, one or more descriptions of a potential arrangement of the at least the portion of the plurality of the computer resources, or a combination thereof.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the processor-executable instructions further include instructions to cause the processor to initiate: receiving data indicating a selection of a computer resource in the plurality of computer resources; and adding the computer resource to the plurality of service items.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the processor-executable instructions further include instructions to cause the processor to initiate: receiving data indicating a deselection of a service item from the plurality of service items; and removing the service item from the plurality of service items.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the plurality of service items further includes information describing at least one of configuration details of a server, configuration details of a virtual network, configuration details of an operating system, configuration details of software, configuration details of an object, configuration details of a cluster, configuration details of a network, a server deployment, instructions configured to initiate a networking change, instructions configured to initiate deploying a virtual network, instructions configured to initiate deploying a load balancer, instructions configured to initiate coupling a virtual network to an external system, or instructions configured to initiate performing an automatable operation.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the processor-executable instructions further include instructions to cause the processor to initiate: serializing the single blueprint into one or more text files and storing the single blueprint to a file system; deserializing the single blueprint from the one or more text files on the file system and storing the single blueprint in a database; or both. 